Secondary fertility

[carolinep3]

Hi all,
Wanted to start a chat for us who already have babies/children but are struggling a little bit with subsequent ones.
I have two children, 8 and 4 but have been trying for number 3 for a good few months now. Those 2 were really easy to conceive, so whilst I am eternally grateful and lucky, this process is a really tough one.
Had a fertility appointment today which has been pretty eye opening, just hoping they can help!

I thought I had secondary infertility I had a child already and conceived within the first month. It look 3yrs to concieve my second. I ruined our life's with all the stress of not getting pregnant. I stopped trying and got pregnant after a few months.

It took around 2 years to fall pregnant with #1 & now 6 months into the TTC journey for #2 (hopefully). I'm already exhausted with all the monthly hope and subsequent disappointment. Not to put a downer on the thread, just AF is due today and I can feel she's on her way.
I find it impossible stop "trying' and just relax this time as I really want #1 to have a sibling. I'm generally OK throughout the month until a few days before my period is due then I start feeling sad about it all.

What tests have you had and were these through GP?

Sending virtual hugs from someone who understands the struggle too, although appreciates everyone's journey is different

Sorry to hear af maybe on the way, but you're never out until she does!
No tests weren't through gp(I do have a doctors appointment booked for Tuesday though and the fertility expert has told me what to ask for specifically incase they aren't clued up with ttc etc)
I just went for fertility acupuncture and she took my whole history and told me what she thinks is the problem based on my 'cycle symptoms' - I have early spotting and brown bloody sometimes.
I now have to order a private test to see whether I have uterine bacteria infection.

When TTC #1, I also got brown spotting in the days leading up to the period and read it could be to do with progesterone levels.
Strangely I don't get that since periods have returned but they have come back heavier and for longer.

Do you mind sharing what tests you've been asked to request?
I've been thinking of doing some initial private tests.

I hope it all goes well for you at your appointment and you get what you ask for.

A blood microbiome test I am getting to check for the infection. (I have no actual symptoms of this, it is just because of the brown and early spotting along with a few other history bits)
I'm going to get the GP to try and check progesterone and
Day 2-3 hormone panel, to include FSH, LH, Oestrogen
Thyroid - ideally TSH, FT4, FT3 and thyroid antibodies
. Apparently a lot of secondary fertility had thyroid causes 🤷🏻‍♀️ it was really nice to speak to someone knowledge about fertility.

My first was conceived without any planning/ trying at all. A one hit wonder. Been trying for a second for over 2 years. I’m 41 and just started fertility investigations. The nurse told us to not get our hopes up and she would put referral in as quickly as she could. It’s quite sad to have issues now when it was so easy the first time.

Could you go private for a consultation with a fertility expert? Don't have to wait for an appointment then and I've found they are very knowledgeable. I've heard sometime these clinics push you more to IVF and don't want to explore more natural methods first?

I’d like to join if that’s ok! It would be great to get some advice on what to ask for in terms of fertility appt! I’m currently month 15 of TTC #3, I sadly had an ectopic in September which ruptured and my left tube had to be removed.
My GP has just done the referral to fertility clinic for me, i’m not entirely sure what they can do as I know we don’t qualify for IVF etc - but thought some investigations would be beneficial. I’ve had 3 rounds of bloods done since starting TTC and all have been fine. Partner is doing his semen analysis this week.
DS1 was a complete surprise pregnancy and DS2 took 2 cycles - so the last 15 months have been soul destroying 😫
How did you find the acupuncture @carolinep3 ? I did have 6 sessions last year but with no sign of BFP I had to stop as it was costing a fortune! xx

Welcome.
Not sure about the acupuncture, yet, going to have a few sessions, she said that it should help lengthen my cycle slightly.
Have you ever had visceral osteopathy, apparently it can help with fertility if people have had babies and gone through pregnancy before? I might have a session and see how I feel!
Good luck with the referral 🤞 hopefully they have some answers for you.

I feel like I rattle when I walk this month, some many supplements and vitamins, along with trying raspberry leaf tea, pomegranate juice, grapefruit juice and 2 litre of water a day! I'm a bit obsessive for anything that can help! 🙈

@carolinep3 Thank you!
I did enjoy the acupuncture, found it very relaxing and it opened my eyes to a lot in terms of fertility! I will probably go back at some point this year and give it another go.
I’ve not heard of visceral osteopathy - but will definitely look into it now!
I have regular fertility/womb massages which I absolutely love. I’m also going for reflexology next month which apparently can help with fertility.
At the moment i’m only taking folate, Vitamin C & D, evening primrose (not during ovulation) and Coq10 - is there anything else I should try?
I feel like i’ve tried a few things - maca root, mucinex etc none of which have worked for me.

I think it is just like a womb massage, manipulation thing. This fertility specialist was describing it, saying that the uterus is in a constant state of small vibrations and having babies etc can disturb that slightly, and this can help create the natural vibrations 🤷🏻‍♀️

Be careful with evening primrose, I used to take it but then someone on here posted a study where it had hindered fertility rather than help.
I've been taking raspberry leaf tea to help uterine health.
As well as the normal pre
Pregnancy supplement
Bit C and B5 for spotting I get
CoQ10 600mg daily for egg quality
And just ordered a women's health probiotic.
2l water a day plus the grapefruit juice is as I'm trying to create more EWCM

It sounds similar to the fertility massages I have, they’re supposed to help the running of your uterus essentially, keeping everything flowing. I do castor oil packs every now and then (when I can find the time 🙄).
That’s interesting about evening primrose! I started taking it originally to help with EWCM, mine quite literally dried up for around 6 months (during the early stages of TTC) but now it’s back and I just haven’t stopped taking it, but maybe I will now!
I had raspberry leaf tea when I was pregnant, I think i’ll try that now too.
I don’t have spotting but I have brown blood for around 3-4 days at the end of my period (which is already pretty long at 5 days). I’m told it’s ’old blood’ but have always wondered if it could be a sign of something.

We can’t afford to go privately. The last of my investigations is this week then semen analysis week after will get results within 4-6 weeks so we’ll wait and see then take it from there.